OWWA Health Program (HEALTHPRO) and Complete List of Programs and Services

Isang magandang balita ang malamang ang OWWA ay nag expand ng coverage ng kanilang suporta at serbisyo para sa mga OFWs. Dati, hindi covered ng OWWA disability benefits kapag ang sakit o karamdaman ay hindi accident-related injuries. Dapat din na ang cause ay work-related or nangyari ito sa job site or lugar na pinagtatrabahuhan ng isang OFW. Noong March 4, 2010 ay nag implementa ang OWWA ng tinatawag na OWWA Health Program or HEALPRO. 

As qouted below:

OWWA HEALTHPRO has three components:

(a) Domestic hopitalization services – This is provided to an OFW patient upon arrival from abroad. This also includes OFWs already in the country who seek medical assistance within a prescribed period.

(b) Jobsite hospitalization services (overseas confinement) –  Health services are provided to an OFW-patient on-site who need immediate confinement due to emergency and other medical reasons.

(c) Medical reimbursement for emergency cases – This is a reimbursement scheme for an OFW-patient requiring immediate medical attention/pre-evaluation of illnesses to access hospital services and initially shoulder his hospital bills.

“Subsidized medical assistance through hospital wings dedicated for OFWs is an expanded medical benefit in response to the need of OFWs particularly those residing in the regions,” Dimzon said. “OWWA wants to help OFW patients whose Philhealth and HMO and company medical benefits have been exhausted. Having hospital wings in provincial hospitals also answers to the need of OFW patients for medical treatment near them.”

"Health Program for Overseas Filipino Workers or HEALTHPRO, OWWA’s institutional response to address the need for subsidized medical services of migrant workers, both local and overseas whose illnesses are either classified as intensive, dreaded, and catastrophic cases."

Sources:

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/oct3110/public_service_ofw.htm

http://www.usnewslasvegas.com/provincial/owwa-13-inks-moa-with-caraga-regl-hospital-for-medical-program-of-ofws/

Narito naman ang kumpletong listahan ng mga programa at serbisyo na maaring makuha ng isang OFW kapag siya ay lehitimong miyembro:

Programs and Services

For its duly registered members, OWWA delivers a wide range of health care, disability and death benefits, scholarships and financial assistance for education and training, workers assistance and on-site services, and social services and family welfare assistance subject to the qualification requirements and availability of OWWA funds.

All benefits and services are over and above the provisions of the employment contract, offer of employers, or the laws of the receiving country.

For a US$25 membership contribution, an OWWA member and/or his family is entitled to the following benefits and services:

I. MEDICAL / HEALTH CARE, DISABILITY AND DEATH BENEFITS

1.1 Health Program for OFWs (HEALTHPRO). Subsidized medical and hospitalization services for OFWs in response to the medical assistance needs of distressed OFWs, whether local or abroad. 1.2 OFW Medical Rehabilitation Program. A special health package to extend sustainable medical rehabilitation services for returning OFWs who are either suffering from any form of mental disorder/illness or physical disability.
For more information about the Medical Rehabiitation Program, please follow this link.
1.3 Disability and Dismemberment Benefit. A member is entitled to disability/dismemberment benefit of up to Php 50,000.
1.4 Total Disability Benefit. A member is entitled to Php 100,000.00 in case of total permanent disability.
1.5 Death Benefit. A member is entitled to a benefit of Php 100,000.00 for the duration of his employment contract for death due to natural cause, and Php 200,000.00 for death due to accident.
1.6 Burial Benefit. A burial benefit of Php 20,000.00 shall be provided as a rider in case of the member’s death.

II. EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS

1. Pre-Departure Education Program (PDEP). The PDEP is a mandatory training for all departing migrant workers. A component of the PDOS is the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) where classes on language training, culture familiarization and stress management for the OFWs are held to prepare them for their new life overseas. The components of the PDEP are: Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) for household service workers, where classes on language training, culture familiarization and stress management for the OFWs are held to prepare them for their new life overseas.
Country-specific Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for OFWs bound for Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Participants are presented with a comprehensive module with sessions on contract familiarization, profile of the country of destination, stages of the OFW’s life, health and safety, airport procedures and government programs.
2. Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program. The SESP is a technical or vocational training scholarship to qualified OFWs and their beneficiaries. The SESP covers short-term (up to two years) vocational or technician’s course for OFWs and their dependents. A maximum of Php 14,500.00 per course shall be provided to qualified OFWs or their beneficiary.
3. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). One hundred fifty (150) college scholarships are awarded to dependents of OFWs to pursue four- to five-year baccalaureate courses. A maximum of Php 60,000.00 per year shall be provided to qualified beneficiaries of OFWs.
For more information and to download the EDSP Application Form, please follow this link.
4. OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFW DSP). OWWA provides financial assistance of Php 20,000.00 per year to poor but deserving dependents of OFWs with a monthly salary of not more than US$400.00/month. Qualifiers enroll in a four- to five-year baccalaureate or associate course leading are entitled to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university.
For more information about OFW DSP, please follow this link.
5. Seafarers’ Comprehensive Education and Training Programs. Resulting from the maritime industry’s high demand for seafarers and the enhancement of competency for officer positions, OWWA undertakes stop-gap measures to ensure considerable supply of seafarers in the mid-management level and secure the place of our sea-based OFWs in the industry. 5.1 Seafarers’ Upgrading Program. The program intends to provide training assistance to seafarers for upgrading and updating of knowledge and skills through sponsorships. Up to Php 7,500.00 in scholarship grants are available per seafarer.
5.2 Mariners’ Dugtong-Aral. “Dugtong,” which means “bridging” in Filipino, is OWWA’s response to the government’s Bridging Program. The MDA is a scholarship grant given to qualified graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and BS Electrical Engineering (BSEE) who wish to graduate as BS Marine Engineering (BS MarE) and board ocean-going vessels as qualified Marine Officers through referrals made by manning agencies after hurdling the licensure examination.
5.3 Incentive Program for Top 200 Maritime Cadets (Cadetship Program). OWWA shall grant a Php 30,000.00 financial incentive to the top 200 cadets of BS Marine Transportation and BS Marine Engineering who passed the Maritime School Assessment Program (MSAP) as part of the education for development scholarship program of OWWAOWWA members. for prospective
5.4 Maritime Educational Development Loan Program (MEDLOP) For Prospective Marine Officers and Engineers with Guaranteed International Onboard Employment (Study Now, Pay Later Scheme). MEDLOP is an interest-free financial assistance to defray costs of tertiary education of prospective Marine Officers and Engineers. The manning agency will be the applicant and sponsor for the MEDLOP and shall select the student to whom it shall extend the loan.
6. OWWA-Microsoft Tulay. “Tulay,” meaning “bridge” in Filipino, is a pioneering project between the OWWA and Microsoft Corporation that brings information and communication technology training to OFWs, to broaden their career opportunities, and facilitate long-distance communication between them and their families. It offers free information and communication technology (ICT) skills training, access to technology and communication via the Internet. At present, there are Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLC) in every OWWA regional welfare office in the Philippines and in some key overseas OWWA posts.
7. Tuloy-Aral Project. The Tuloy-Aral (“continuation of education”) or TAP is an educational assistance project which aids the less fortunate children of former OFWs to enable them to continue their elementary and high school education in the Philippines by providing a US$100 financial support per year to the child-beneficiary. Donors may be OFWs, OFW organizations, and other interested individuals or groups.
8. Tuloy-Kolehiyo. Extended coverage of the established TAP is the Tuloy Kolehiyo (“continuation of college education”) to include the tertiary education leading to either an associate or baccalaureate degree. The beneficiaries are entitled to either semestral stipend or actual costs of tuition and miscellaneous fees, offered by participating educational institutions, but not to exceed the maximum amount Php 15,000 per school year.

III. WORKERS ASSISTANCE AND ON-SITE SERVICES

The OWWA sustains and maintains assistance to members in all its regional and overseas offices. On behalf of the OFW, the OWWA may provide appropriate representation with employers, agents, and host government authorities. Services include: 1. Locating OFW’S whereabouts, providing information and guidance, counseling and conciliation services, medical and legal assistance, community organization, workplace and hospital visitation, outreach missions, etc.
2. Repatriation Program which includes negotiation with employers and agents, repatriation of distressed workers, human remains and belongings, airport assistance, OWWA Halfway House accommodation, and coordination with families through the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO).

IV. SOCIAL SERVICES AND FAMILY WELFARE ASSISTANCE

1. Reintegration Program. The program is implemented by OWWA through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and OWWA’s Regional Welfare Offices and Overseas Posts for the member-OFW’s economic and social reintegration. Member-OFWs and their families are beneficiaries of the reintegration program and can participate through business counseling, community organizing, financial literacy seminars, capability-building, networking with support institutions, and other social preparation programs activities. Livelihood loans are available to members subject to the policies formulated by the Board.

2. OWWA-NLDC LDPO PROJECT

The OWWA has an existing tie-up with the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) to come up with implement the Livelihood Development Program for OFWs (LDPO) to provide OFW families access to capital for their entrepreneurial activities.

3. 24/7 OWWA OPERATIONS CENTER

The OWWA maintains a 24/7 Operations Center designed to quickly respond to OFW and public inquiries on OWWA programs and services. Manned by OWWA personnel who work in shifts, the Operations Center provides information and advice as well as facilitative services to OFWs in distress overseas; follow-up requests for assistance; global developments on worker migration; and coordination with OWWA regional welfare offices on OFW concerns.

The 24/7 Operations Center is located at

OWWA Building
7th corner F.B. Harrison Sts.
Pasay City
Metro Manila, Philippines

and can be contacted through the following:

Landline: (+632)833-OWWA or (+632)833-6992

GLOBE HOTLINE 2917 (Press “3” for OWWA)

Mobile/SMS text messaging: (0917)TXT-OWWA or (0917)898-6992

Facsimile: +63-2-8040638

Email: opcenter@owwa.gov.ph/ owwa_opcenter@yahoo.com

Web site: www.owwa.gov.ph

Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph/index.php?page=benefits-and-services

WARNING: SCAM E-MAIL (APPLICATION INVITATION FROM Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEADEO), COMMISSION )

Just received this e-mail today. Please be advised that this is not a legitimate e-mail and is another kind of a scam. If you happen to receive similar e-mail, just ignore it and don't provide any information that may lead access to your personal identity.

From: Africa Recruitment
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 11:01:16
Subject: APPLICATION INVITATION FROM Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEADEO), COMMISSION .

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEADEO), COMMISSION, have extended its tentacles to establish Oil and Gas Company ,Ecowas Roads, Building , Hospitals, Schools, Markets in some of his member state which includes Nigeria as the Headquarter is in Abuja.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEADEO), COMMISSION,have establish Oil and Gas Company Roads, Building , Hospitals, Schools, Markets in the 4 major region of Nigeria Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu and each zone contain about 2,000 Workers / Students / Ministers and we are now  looking for a well experience workers or  teachers to undertake the contract  Hospitals, Schools, Markets  lectures in a class of 20-25 students each we have our Primary and Secondary Schools established by the The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEADEO), COMMISSION.

However the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS/CEADEO),COMMISSION. Strives to recruit and retain the best and brightest in a variety of exciting and challenging fields in working and  teaching works to ECOWAS Schools in Nigeria, ECOWAS discovers these talents from amongst the local and overseas graduates of best knowledgeable. We carry out regular talent
search exercises to meet our increasing human resource needs.

At present, ECOWAS COMMISION, has a workforce of more than 300,000 operations in all the Countries of the members States, This number represents all nationalities with varying capabilities, knowledge and skills to undertake various upstream and downstream projects in a variety of Educations in the members States.

ECOWAS COMMISSION offers Oil and Gas Company, Roads, Building , Hospitals, School Educational, Employment, occupational mobility along both the technical or managerial tracks and ample opportunities for learning and growing. A career with ECOWAS/CEADEO means unleashing your trust potential. On this note, the below you will find the current positions where expatriates  are needed in our Schools.

However your CV or Resume posted in onlin site data base and was found suitably  and eligible to be employed by ECOWAS/CEADEO to undertake the teaching of any schools here in Nigeria you shall be posted to any region based on your responds towards our offer to you and your adviced to select any position below by Example 1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER. then you attach your CV or Resume for proper screening and verifications as we shall revert back to
you soonest.

 POSITIONS NEEDED.

 1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER.
 2. MATHEMATICS TEACHER.
 3. GEOGRAPHY TEACHER.
 4. LITRATURE TEACHER.
 5. HISTORY TEACHER.
 6. SCIENCE TEACHER.
 7. COMPUTER TEACHER.
 8. STATISTICS TEACHER.
 9. ENGLISH LITERATURE TEACHER.
 10. SPANISH LANGUAGE TEACHER.
 11. DUTCH LANGUAGE TEACHER.
 12. CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHER.
 13. FRENCH LANGUAGE TEACHER.
 14. LINGUISTICS TEACHER.
 15. RUSSIAN LANGUAGE TEACHER.
 16. MUSIC TEACHER.
 17. SOCIAL STUDIES.
 18. ARTS AND CULTURE.
 19. NANY

OTHER OPENING DETAILS:

A.   CIVIL ENGINEER
B.   SEFATY ENGINEER
C.   CONSTRCTION ENGINEER
D.   ELECTRICAL  ENGINEER
E.   PIPELINE ENGINEER
F.   PROJECT MANAGER
G.   ADMIN MANAGER
H.   ACHITACH ENGINEER
I.    MAINTENANACE ENGINEER
J.   MECHANICAL ENGINEER
K.   OPERATION ENGINEER
L.   ACCOUNTANT
M.   FINANCE MANAGER
N.   NURSE SR. STAFF
O.  DOCTOR  /  MEDICAL OFFICER
P.    OIL AND GAS ENGINEER
Q .   LOGISTIC MANAGER
R.    HR MANAGER / OFFICER / ADMIN

 And others.

So please if you have qualifications in Engineering and teaching experiences in any of  these subjects above kindly send in your CV or Resume to our Recruitment Manager Alhaji Awolowo Abubakar as he will advice you on what next to do if selected.

So kindly reply us with your CV/Resume for our confirmation to enable us proceed regarding to employ you in this teaching work.

Send your CV at:   africrecruitments@gmail.com

Note that upon the receipt of your CV/ Resume, it shall be forwarded to our screening department for screening and proper verification, you shall be contacted if successful after the screening and we will send an appointment letter immediately to authenticate that you are selected.

Also note that there will be no online Interview as the time is short and  the ECOWAS School's will be following the Principles of the ECOWAS School's Policy. In this regards, appointment will be given based on the qualification on your CV/RESUME and as such is the final conclusion of the  ECOWAS School's.

If the applicant is successful, He or she will also enroll on a two weeks  Job elaboration and specification workshop as regard the teaching responsibility/Designation which will be given due to the difference in teaching policies between the teachers Country and ECOWAS  Oil and Gas Company ,Ecowas Roads, Building , Hospitals, Schools.

We will not write to you if you’re CV/ Resume and online Interview DO NOT match our criteria.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Regards.

Alhaji Awolowo Abubakar.
Recruitment Manager.
Tel +234 8181008758

Panel Consolidates Bills to Help Provide Financial Security to OFWs

Panel Consolidates Bills to Help Provide Financial Security to OFWs
By CHARISSA M. LUCI and CHITO CHAVEZ
October 12, 2010, 8:01pm

MANILA, Philippines – The House committee on overseas workers affairs consolidated the four bills seeking to provide financial security blanket to about eight million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worldwide. The bills, which mandates the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide a loan of P50,000 to an OFW, were now being consolidated by the committee’s technical working group (TWG).

The committee held its initial deliberations on House Bills 450, 2082, 973 and 1278, which spare the OFWs and their families from being victimized by loan sharks. Among the authors of the bill are Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio Arroyo and Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco.The bills provide the release of a loan amounting to P50,000 upon the OFW’s submission of his or her bank account, employment contract and plane ticket duly certified by the recruitment agency or direct hirer and properly certified or verified by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Under the bill, the loan will be paid in 12 equal monthly installments at a preferred interest rate not to exceed six percent per annum. Those who fail to pay the loan or violate the terms imposed will be barred from future overseas employment. Qualified family member of the OFW may participate in the loan as co-borrower.

The loan will be entered into by and between the OFW and OWWA with the next-of-kin as the guarantor and will be covered with loan redemption insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the premium of which will be paid by the applicant overseas worker, the bills said.

OFWs who are availing themselves of the loan needs to open a bank account with any domestic or foreign banking institution duly authorized to do business in the country in the name of the OFW and the immediate family member as borrower. All transactions will be made in the account where the proceeds of the loans will be released. All monthly remittances of salaries and wages abroad and payment of the loan will be made in the bank account.

In a related development, Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista said local residents need not to go the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Pasay City to ask for assistance once the city’s OFW Help Desk is formally opened. Earlier, the Quezon City government and the OWWA signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in creating the OFW Help Desk at the Quezon City Hall. Carlo Magno Abella, officer-in-charge of the Quezon City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), said the operation of the new OFW Help Desk will become part of the regular program of the city government to help its constituents.

Part of the assistance and benefits to be given are livelihood assistance up to P15,000 for displaced OFWs and those with breached contract, under the program of National Re-integration Center for OFWs. Another assistance that will be given is the ELAP or education, and livelihood assistance program for the beneficiaries of the OFWs. Anna Liza Estrada, OWWA family welfare officer, said the help desk will be open Wednesday at the PESO office for assistance or complaints.

After Quezon City, Estrada said the OWWA is also planning to set up other help desks at different places in Metro Manila which are far from the OWWA main office.

Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/281868/panel-consolidates-bills-help-provide-financial-security-ofws

Social Security System (SSS) Disaster Experience in Philippines

Gusto ko lang share ung naging experience ko sa SSS lately.

Nag decide akong i-withdraw ung accumulated savings (Flexi-Fund) ko last September nung nagbakasyon ako sa Pinas.Sa Head Office ako nag apply ng Claim nung September 2, 2010... Pagdating ko dun, medyo natuwa pa ako kasi meron silang VIP lane for OFWs kasama sa lane na un ang mga Senior Citizens kaya mabilis kong mai-submit ung Form. Nung nasa counter na ako, nagtanong ako kung within the day, makukuha ko agad ang cheque...Biglang nasira ang mood ko nung sinabi na 10 working days daw ang processing ng cheque...Eh pauwi ako ng probinsya after 2 days.. So, ang pinili ko nalang dun sa "Type of Payment" ay Deposit to Bank Account...Pina photocopy sakin ung ATM Card ko (BPI) along with Passport, SSS ID, ska pinasulat ung account details. Nung nareceive nung processor (Gemma R. Dagdag), hinanap nya sa listahan ung BRSTN number ng BPI branch ko. Then ska nya sinulat sa form. Tinanong ko narin kung ilang days bago maipasok sa account ko. Nakaka-dismayang sagot ang narinig ko.. Hindi raw nya alam kasi ibang department ang in-charge.

Nag-antay nalang ako habang nasa probinsya for two weeks akong andun wlang pumapasok sa account ko. To make the story worst, until this date (October 6, 2010) hindi ko parin natatanggap ung PERA KO...Nakabalik na ako dito sa Riyadh wala parin.. Hindi lang jan nagtatapos ang disaster experience ko.. Nag e-mail ako sa kanila mga 2 weeks ago to inquire nga kung ano na nangyari sa claim ko dahil hangang ngayon wala parin sa account ko... After 1 week may nagreply, anak ng putakte ang sabi sa reply pinadala na daw yung cheque dun sa mailing address ko nung Sept. 21, 2010 pinadala. Actual reply as qouted below:

We would like to inform you that your flexi-fund full withdrawal claim amounting to Pxx,xxx.xx has already been processed/settled under Check No. xxxxxx (thru special voucher) on Sept. 14, 2010 and was mailed to your given address at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sept. 21, 2010.

Thank you for writing.

Very truly yours,

ATTY. SYLVETTE C. SYBICO

Department Manager

By: MALOU C. CUEVAS

Senior Analyst

Text agad ako sa mga naiwan sa Pinas para magtanong kung may dumadating na cheque.. Eh hanggang ngayon wala pa rin... Hindi ko sila tinantanan.. Nag reply ako sa reply e-mail at kinuwestiyon ko bakit nirelease as mail yung cheque samantalang ang nilagay ko sa form is Deposit to Account.. (Pardon my English kung meron mang major major mali sa grammar, kasi hindi ako English major)

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for the information. I just want to inquire how come that it was released as a check, when the instruction I made on the form was to credit to my savings account in BPI. The processor even asked for the photocopy of my ATM card and all necessary details. What's the use of asking these information that in the end you will release it as a check? I have my mobile number and even e-mail address in the form but I was not even notified that there is a change in the releasing process. My main concern here is, not all the time there is somebody in the house where the check was mailed. If the mailman arrive without somebody to receive, it would be definitely become a returned mail. This will then cause another delay and problem.I should have just picked it up in the Main Office before I returned here in Riyadh.

Antay ulit ako ng 1 week saka may nagreply.. Lalo ako nabwisit sa reply dahil ang sabi sa reply as qouted below:

"We have coordinated your case with the concerned department and according to them, it was released as a check because there was no written request that the amount be deposited to your BPI account."

Anak ng kagaw... parang yung dugo sa talampakam ko biglang umakyat sa ulo ko na parang lalabas na sa ilong ko... Panong walang written request eh andun nga yun sa Claim Form nakalagay... May kasama pang photocopy ng ATM Card... Nireplyan ko ulit dahil sa bwisit ko...As qouted below:

Dear Maam,

Thank you for the effort you have extended in this concern. However, I would definitely DISAGREE on the reason that was provided by that concerned department. It was so clear in my claim form, that the instruction was to credit on my BPI savings account. I even attached the photocopy of my ATM Card, Passport, SSS ID and even wrote the Bank address on the form. Unfortunately, I haven't photocopied the form (because I gave too much TRUST that it will not serve any purpose on the future). Which I really regret, and the only thing I can provide is the acknowledgement receipt of my form as attached in this e-mail.

The processor was Ms. Gemma R. Dagdag. She even checked the BRSTN number of my BPI Branch in the list she had and wrote it in the form. I hope that there will be enough HONESTY on the concerned person/people for this will reflect negatively on the institution. I dare (the concerned department) to provide the scanned copy of the form which I submitted.

Just FYI, until this date, my family in Philippines haven't received yet the cheque. Thank you again and may this issue be settled as soonest as possible. "

Haaayyyy... akala ko pa naman dahil nagbago na ang Presidente ng Pilipinas at nagbago narin ang Chairman ng SSS eh mababago narin ang image ng SSS... Yun pala eh BULOK parin...